DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claims 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, and 17-20 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claims 4 and 5 recite “at least two band mortises,” “at least two ring tenons,” “at least two band tenons,” and “at least two ring mortises.” As the independent claim previously recites “at least one…” of each feature for consistency the claims should be worded, for example, “wherein the at least one ring tenon comprises at least two ring tenons.”
Claim 12 recites “a band tenon” this is believed to be “the at least one band tenon.”
Claims 13 and 20 recite “the diameter” there is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation. Claim 14 recites “at least one ring tenon” and “at least one band tenon” this should, for example, be at least one ring tenon of the at least two ring tenons.
Claims 17-19 recite “the ring tenons” and “the band tenons” this should be, for example, “the at least two ring tenons.”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cottone (US 11,007,345 B2).
With regard to claims 1-5, Cottone teaches an interlock assembly for a catheter, comprising: a microfabricated tube (Fig. 1A member 100) comprising a distal ring, the distal ring comprising at least one ring tenon and at least one ring mortise (exemplary Fig. 4(b), ring portion is the distal portion of 110 in the area of 150 distal of the cuts, the tenons are on either side of 150, 460, and 461, mortises formed by 150, 460, and 461), wherein the microfabricated tube comprises a fenestrated segment extending from a main segment of the microfabricated tube to the distal ring of the microfabricated tube (Figs. 2A and 3 segment 110, spiral fenestrations 340); and a marker band (Fig. 1(a) considered as portions 120 and 170) comprising at least one band tenon and at least one band mortise (exemplary Fig. 4(b) tenons 140, 450, and 451, mortises formed by spaces between 140, 450, and 451), wherein the at least one ring mortise is configured to receive and interlock with the at least one band tenon and wherein the at least one band mortise is configured to receive and interlock with the at least one ring tenon (exemplary Fig. 4(a)).
With regard to claims 6 and 7, alternatively the snap fit connector 510 in Figs. 5 is considered which has an opening between 550 and 560, further see coating 1010 and 1020 (Fig. 10(b)). The snap fit shape can vary and is considered as the at least one tenon, this portion may be on either member (Col. 10 lines 17-32).
With regard to claim 8, see Col. 3 lines 50-59.
With regard to claim 9, see exemplary Fig. 6(r), the tenons are curved.
With regard to claims 10 and 11, the tenon on either side of 150 has a greater width than the tenons which fit into 460 and 461 (Fig. 4(b)). Cottone teaches the snap portions may be configured on either member (Col. 10 lines 17-20) and when reversed the length of the ring tenon is less than the band tenon.
With regard to claim 12, see Fig. 19(d), member 1900b.
With regard to claim 13, Cottone teaches the snap portions may be configured on either member (Col. 10 lines 17-20), see exemplary Fig. 6(l) 150 expands and contracts. Alternatively, portions 530 and 540 move inward to connect (Col. 16 line 58).
With regard to claim 14, Cottone teaches an interlock assembly for a catheter, comprising: a microfabricated tube (Fig. 1A member 100) comprising a distal ring, the distal ring comprising at least two ring tenons and at least two ring mortises (exemplary Figs. 5, ring portion is the distal portion of 110 in the area of 120 distal of the cuts, the tenons are on either side of 120, and to the sides of spaces generally indicated as 460, and 461 in Fig. 4(b), mortises formed by 120 and corresponding spaces), wherein the microfabricated tube comprises a fenestrated segment extending from a main segment of the microfabricated tube to the distal ring of the microfabricated tube, wherein the fenestrated segment is a helical segment, and wherein the distal ring is integrally connected to the helical segment to form a monolithic structure (Figs. 2A and 3 segment 110, spiral fenestrations 340); and a marker band (Fig. 1(a) considered as portions 120 and 170) comprising at least two band tenons and at least two band mortises, wherein each ring mortise is configured to receive and interlock with a corresponding band tenon and wherein each band mortise is configured to receive and interlock with a corresponding ring tenon, wherein at least one ring tenon or at least one band tenon comprises a radial aperture, and wherein an outer laminate extends through the radial aperture (Figs. 5 one tenon formed by 530 and 540 with aperture in-between, additional tenons formed by members which fit into spaces of the other segment, further see coating 1010 and 1020 (Fig. 10(b)).).
With regard to claim 15, Cottone teaches multiple snap connections may be used, as such at least two are used and that the connector and acceptor can be on either or both members (Col. 15 line 64-Col. 16 line 8). As such this can result in a situation where two sets of members 530 and 540 with an aperture between are provided on each portion.
With regard to claim 16, see Col. 3 lines 50-59.
With regard to claim 17, see exemplary Fig. 6(r), the tenons are curved.
With regard to claims 18 and 9, portions on either side of 120 are wider than corresponding tenons on the other side. Cottone teaches the snap portions may be configured on either member (Col. 10 lines 17-20) and when reversed the length of the ring tenon is less than the band tenon.
With regard to claim 20, portions 530 and 540 move inward from an expanded configuration to connect (Col. 16 line 58).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EMILY L SCHMIDT whose telephone number is (571)270-3648. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Thursday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
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/EMILY L SCHMIDT/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3783
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